Annamalaiyar Temple

Name
Proper name: Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Thirukoil
Sanskrit transliteration: Arunachaleswara
Tamil: திருஅண்ணாமலையார் திருக்கோயில்

Location
Country: India
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Tiruvannamalai district
Locale: Thiruvannamalai

Temple Details
Primary Deity: Annamalaiyar (Shiva)
Consort: Unnamalaiyaal (Apitakuchambaal – Parvati)
Temple Tank: Agni theertham
Important festivals: Karthigai Deepam

Annamalaiyar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, located at the foothills of the Annamalai Hill in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, India.

Shiva is worshipped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar represented by lingam, with his consort, Unnamalaiyaal (Apitakuchambaal – Parvati).

The temple occupies a significant place in Saivism realm and is regarded as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas – this temple is associated with the element fire (Agni).

The temple complex spans 10 hectares and is one of the largest temples in India. It houses 4 gopurams  with the tallest being the eastern tower with 11 storeys and a height of 66 metres (217 ft), making it one of the tallest gopurams in India.

The Karthigai Deepam festival celebrated during the full moon day in November–December during which a huge beacon lit on the top of the hill. It can be seen from miles around and believed to be Shiva’s lingam of fire joining the limitless skies.

The event is witnessed by 3 million pilgrims. During each full moon day, the Annamalai Hill is swelled by close to 1 million pilgrims who do a girivalam and worship Annamalaiyar in the temple.

The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of 7th century Saiva nayanars – Tamil saint poets and is also classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam. It is said that the 9th century Saiva saint poet Manikkavasagar composed the Tiruvempaavai at Thiruvannamalai.